Anxiety or Heart Issues?

@libby93- Hi Libby. I can tell that you are very very frustrated. Try and hang in there! Have you gone to a GI doctor as yet? Lots of times anxiety can cause a lot of acid in your stomach and cause GERD. There are quite a few people on here who have found out that their pain was actually caused by GERD? Can you get in to see one?

First and foremost I want to thank you for sharing. Our bodies and minds are very complicated, intricate organs. I am a nurse and also suffer from anxiety and depression. I have a heart murmur, as well as had history of SVT. I have an extensive family history of heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, and stent placement. I take Metoprolol daily, limit my sodium intake, am active, and try to get adequate hydration and rest daily. By BMI is at a healthy percentage.
I too have been to the ER for symptoms I thought to be heart related. At times they were in fact my heart (SVT and palpitations) and other times it was anxiety and panic attacks.
I applaud you for listening to your body and seeking medical care. Many will not even take that step out of fear they are wrong, “it’s in their heads”, etc. It just takes one time of it actually being a true heart symptom and not seeking care to end a persons life. With that being said it’s important to advocate for yourself with your PCP. Request referral to a cardiologist for a second opinion. It sounds like an adequate work up was completed. Bloodwork including Troponin levels, EKG, Halter Monitor, stress tests, knowledge of family health history are all extremely important to properly diagnose. We also must do our part to maintain proper health. Taking the advice and trusting your PCP, taking medications as prescribed, eating a balanced diet, exercise to maintain our BMI, adequate hydration, rest, counseling, self help techniques (I.e. deep breathing, warm baths, self talk, etc.), social support, are all crucial.
I wish you the best moving forward! Our bodies are so extremely awesome, especially when we do good for them! Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and make the most of each day! We’re all here to support you!
Alicia

@arowlands6- Welcome to Mayo Connect. I wish I knew who you were replying to. If you don't mild please put a @+name at the beginning of your post in a reply.
I'm with you, the body and mind are all one.

Hi, @arowlands6 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like your background of going to the ER for symptoms which at times were in fact your heart and at times were anxiety or panic attacks fits in beautifully with what @libby93 has been discussing.

From your experiences, @arowlands6, were there any key differentiating factors between the times the symptoms turned out to be anxiety or panic attacks and when they turned out to be heart issues?

Yes, there were key factors and/or symptoms when I went to the ER that differentiated anxiety and panic attacks versus cardiac manifestations. During cardiac episodes, I had heart palpitations throughout the day leading up to my evening ER visit, I was diaphoretic (sweaty), nothing I did including deep breathing and other such relaxation techniques would stop the heart palpitations and eventually SVT. During anxiety related ER visits something that occurred throughout my day initiated my symptoms. My breathing became more rapid, thoughts raced, and often times I felt fearful something was going to happen but typically had no idea what.

@arowlands6- Good morning. I'd also like to welcome you to Connect. This is such wonderful information. I thank you. I agree with both you and @lisalucier- We certainly need to listen to our bodies. On the occasions that I have visited the ER with a panic attack the things that have been said about things being in my head were so derogatory that it made me afraid to go back. Some in the medical field think that it's their duty to pass judgment too.
It keeps people away from being able to make good decisions. It sounds as if you got sound medical care without any judgments.
It's more important to be afraid of what is wrong than any uncalled for judgment.
Fast beating hearts and being sweaty are scary symptoms. DId you learn this from you nursing background or your experiences with the ER?

I've been going through the say thing wat did they say

I've been having the same problem

I've been to the er for chest palpitations anxiety I've also been to cardiologist Heart and Vascular heart monitor nothing was wrong they said but still have issues

I have these same problems stay with a little pain in my chest